Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-11-11
laps and MISHApS OF A LOST SACHEL
A Story for Young and Old.
BY FRANK II. CONVERSE,
CHAPTER ".


of cotton bales, a dozen or more of
which were TERED up one upon an
other, at the verge of the wharf.
Looking about him to make sure
that he was unobserved, Tad scram-
bled up the back side of the tier,
and, crawling nimbly over the top,
dropped into narrow niche between
two of the bales, where, well sheltered
from the wind, and warmed by the sun,
he found that without being seen
he could look directly down upon the
"Mary Us" deck.
Polly Flagg had thrown aside her
ugly head-gear, and, using the end of
the half-houSe for a wash-bench, was
vigorously scrubbing the small dog,
who feebly protested, in bucket of
warm water furnished by the cook-a
diminutive colored man with very
round shoulders, and woody locks plen-
tifply powdered with gray.
'There, little dog" said Polly, as
she rubbed the whimpering pup with a
bit of an old sail-cloth, "you were new
er so clean in your life before. Now,
George Washington addressing the
colored individual-"take him and lay
him in the galley, by the fire, till he's
dry"
"'Pears though he orter be c'nsider-
ably refrigerated by his dissolution,
Miss Polly" returned Washington,
with convulsive giggle, as, receiving
the small bundle, he hurried back to
the galley, which was a sort of large
"cubby-house," midway between the
two masts, where the cooking was
done.
Meanwhile. Polly unpinned her dress,
which she had carefully turned up in
front during the washing, pulled down
her sleeves and, without resuming the
big sun-bonnet, walked to the rail,
where she stood looking up the wharf
in an expectant attitude.
'She isn't exactly stylish-lookin',"
said Tad, viewing Miss Polly critically,
from his point of observation, "but she's
got a goodish kind of face"
No-Polly was not stylish-looking.
Her cheeks were as rosy. and round as
a Baldwin apple, and her small nose
not innocent of freckles. Then, too,
her mouth was rather large, though one
forgot its size in the kindness of her
smile, which, moreover, showed a very
perfect set of small, even, white teeth.
Polly had pair of pleasant dark eyes
that, when she was q bit excited, looked
almost black, and she was also the pos
SCISSOR of what the novelists call "a
wealth" of bronze-tinted chestnut hair,
with a natural crinkle in it, which no
amount of art could have initiated. But
Polly briefly summed up her own per-
sonal appearance in one terse sentence
"red hair, freckles and a snub-nose;"
and no amount of reasoning could con-
vince her she was not undeniably plain,
or-as she unhesitatingly affirmed
lawful homely."
II don't believe it's polite to stare at
ladies, even if they can't see you," sud-
dpnly thought Tad. And vaguely Won
dering at his own newly-awakened
sense Of propriety. Tad settled back in
his coy nook and. pulling out his tx:
papers, began running over the Lost
columns, but his search was in vain.
Watches had been lost, diamonds
stolen, gold-headed canes taken by mis-
take and pet poodles lured from their
homes-for the recovery of each and all
of which rewards were offered, with the
suggestive mo questions asked" as an
extra inducement for their return.
But there was no reference in any of
the papers to 50 small alligator-skin
sachel. with nickel mountings, left by
mistake in the waiting-room of the
Broad Street depot" or words to that
effect; and Tad began to wonder what
he had best do next. He could not ad-
vertise under the head of Found" for
five cents was all the money Tad had
in the world; SO, finally, he was forced
to the conclusion that all he could do
waste use his own unspoken thought
Ito hang on spell longer"
It was much harder to decide what
he should do with himself. The bag
had some one to look out for it, but
there was no one to look out for Tad.
And, for the first time in his short life,
Tad felt a feeling of something like
homesickness creep over him.
A familiar voice on the wharf, close
to the pile of cotton bales, aroused Tad
very suddenly from his reverie.
otis that Jonesr' he excitedly ex-
claimed, though under his breath, as
be peered down at the speaker. It was
indeed that ingenious gentleman, as,
lifting his hat with winning politeness,
he had accosted Miss Polly, who was
evidently impressed at such a display
of courtesy.
MAY ask, MISS" said Jones. call
ing up his most agreeable smile,
whether you have seen q shabby-look-
ing boy. carrying a small alligator-skin
sachel. anywhere in this vicinity with
in half an hour?"
"Why. yes-he was down here awhile
ago, but guess he's gone uptown
again." replied Polly, wondering what
the stranger wanted of the boy who
called himself Tad Thorne.
Mr.. Jones looked sadly disappointed
at Polly's answer, while Tad, winking
at himself, chuckled silently. What
Mr.. Jones might have said is uncer-
tain. for just then third party hove in
sight-to use a nautical phrase-who,
Tad felt by sort of instinct, must be
Captain Jethro Flagg. He was ire
mendously stout man. with iron-gray
hair and rim of white whiskers which
made sort Of halo about his fat,
weather-beaten face. The blue shirt,
pea-jacket, canvas trowsers, oil-skin
hat and heavy sea-boots which he wore
left no doubt as to the nature Of his
calling.
"Now, then, Ephr'm.' SAID Captain
Flagg, in a voice like trumpet with a
bad cold. as. turning about, he adj
dressed . iong-iegged yourn VINO
brought up the rear with a heavy
basket, "heave ahead lively with them
stores, my hearty, or you won't fetch
the schooner till dinner-time." Thus
sdmonished. Ephraim muttered some
yhincr svor1;blo